What Is an Arson Dog?

Arson dogs are highly trained canines used by fire departments and police to investigate the causes and sources of property fires and, in particular, arson. Arson is the deliberate starting of a fire for revenge, profit or delinquent entertainment. Arson dogs can detect minute traces of accelerants left behind after a fire, which may be responsible for starting the fire. Arson dogs receive highly specialized training and are skillful enough to distinguish between different types of fuel and they can detect quantities so minute that a machine cannot detect it.

  1. Arson Dog Program

    • In 1993 the Arson Dog Program was first established with sponsorship from State Farm, as a response to the need for specially trained arson dogs in America. The program provides and trains more than 200 arson dogs that are distributed across 43 states in the U.S. plus three provinces of Canada and the District of Columbia. This team of canines and their handlers help fight arson crime.

    Labrador Retriever

    • Each Labrador retriever receives a five-week intensive training before being handed over to a handler. All handlers are police officers. The dogs are trained using the method of rewarding success with a food treat. Labrador retrievers are used because they are able to distinguish between many different smells at a fire scene. Their noses have an amazing sensitivity and can detect parts per quintillion. Labradors also have a great willingness to work and please their handlers.

    Importance of Arson Dogs

    • In the United States, billions of dollars' worth of property damage each year is attributed to arson. This crime destroys the lives of many citizens and costs insurance companies billions of dollars. Arson dogs are an important resource used for fighting this crime.

    Arson Dog Searches

    • Arson dogs are not only used to search the sites of fires, they are also required to search areas, crowds, vehicles, individuals and equipment. An arson dog can sniff out an arsonist in a large crowd of people, leading to an arrest and they can also follow the trail of the accelerant, if the arsonist is on the move. They are used to search the clothes, belongings and vehicles of arson suspects after they have been detained and often provide the police with vital evidence.